What Causes the Squealing Sound When Braking?
3 Answers
The reasons for the squealing sound when braking are: 1. Excessive wear of the brake disc and brake pads; 2. Abnormal installation of the brake pads; 3. Foreign objects on the brake pads or brake disc; 4. Poor retraction of the caliper causing prolonged friction between the disc and pads. Methods for brake maintenance include: 1. Regularly check the thickness and wear of the brake pads, and ensure they retract freely; 2. Replace them when wear reaches the limit to avoid reduced braking efficiency and compromised driving safety; 3. Use brake pads provided by the original equipment manufacturer; 4. Use specialized tools to retract the brake caliper piston during replacement; 5. After replacement, press the brake pedal several times to eliminate the gap between the pads and the brake disc.
I've encountered this situation several times, and it's usually a brake pad issue. If you hear a squealing noise when braking, it's likely that the brake pads have worn down to their limit. They contain metal wear indicators that produce this sharp sound when rubbing to alert you to replace them. It could also be due to scratches on the brake discs or small stones and dust causing abnormal friction. This situation is quite dangerous because as the brake pads thin out, braking performance decreases, and if they fail during an emergency stop, it could be troublesome. I recommend you go to a repair shop as soon as possible to check the thickness of the brake pads and the condition of the discs. Don't delay as it could lead to bigger problems. Also, pay attention to your car's condition during regular maintenance to prevent issues before they arise. By the way, new brake pads may sometimes squeal for a few days during the initial break-in period, which isn't a major issue, but if it persists, it should be addressed.
I understand this kind of squealing noise, most of the time it's just the brake system acting up. It could be that the brake pads are worn down, and the little metal indicator inside is triggering the sound; or the brake discs are dirty or scored, causing unstable friction. Another possibility is that the brake components have loosened or foreign objects have gotten in, like dust accumulation after rainy days. This issue isn't complicated, but it needs to be addressed as soon as possible—brake noise means insufficient friction, and your car might respond slower when you hit the brakes, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. Personally, I regularly check the condition of my brake discs; if the surface is rough or has rust, it needs cleaning. If I'm really unsure, I ask a friend to help test the brake pressure. In short, don't ignore small unusual noises—they're often the first warning signs of safety issues.
